Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1887-02-04
A MOTHERS VISION.

A MOTHERS VISION.
"Oh, dear" said tily Mrs. Jewett,
there's Willie in tile raror again with
mis- muddy boots, and Jennie has finger
! cd the woodwork Of tile piano all over,
| see, that l polished SO nicely only
yesterday. know the door of the spare
room has been left open, too, for the
muslin curtains are pulled all away
where pussy must have froIicked in the
folds; and, dear, dear, there's Jack this
minute with his feet in that stuiTed
C arl"
IIG"Comc, come, mother, wouldn't
fret" said easy Mr.. Jowctt: the
children must put their feet somewhere
and suppose kittens will be kittens and
dy about where they can find the most
fun"
ooh, yes" rcjoincd Mrs. J.wctt
'Its very easy for you father
to think children and cats can go
where they like and do what they
/ please I'm not fretting bu. it's hard
york to sweep and polish and do
clear starching; and mea never did
know and never will know anything
about the work of housekceper and a
mother"
So saying Mrs. Jewett, with her fair,
pretty face all in wrinkles, went out of
che room with worried
"Oh, dearw
And her husband looked after her
with compassionate:
"Poor mothern
Naturally Mrs. Jcwctt was of happy
disposition, but like many another fond,
faithful mother, she was unconsciously
falling into the habit of worrying over
the inevitable faults and thoughtlessness
Of her children.
She was scrupulously neat house
keeper, and as her things had not come
as easily as they do to many others, they
acquired all the moro value and impor-
tauce in her eyes, once they came into
her possession.
But the usual restlessness of boys and
girls, and even poor capering kitty herself,
was fast developing into Mrs. Jewett
that irri tating frctfulncss and impatience
which kills true happiness and comfort
in many a home, and where the mothers
real object is to make all as comfortable
and Lappy as possible.
In vain Mr. Jewett hinted that things
were always going wrong, somehow, and
that there was no end of peevishncss and
fault finding taking root in his family.
At such times Mrs Jewett would shed
tears and declare no one could do more
than spend all their time and energies
for The welfare Of their family, as she
lid.
One morning the curtains were discov-
cred to have been rolled up all to one
side, while the summer sunshine was
flooding, with its wholesome light the
bright pattern Of the new Brussels car
pet, Jennie and Carrie had left their
school books scattered around on the
chairs and Jacks muddy boots stood in
the middle of the floor.
Mrs. Jewett burst into a TRADE of dis
pleasure, but the children were out Of
hearing, SO instead Of judiciously and
patiently calling them in and obliging
them to put things in their places, she
began putting things to rights herself
allowing Mr.. Jewett, as frequently hap
pencd to bear the brunt of her displeas-
are, and for once his good nature gave
way, and he said, pettishly:
81 declare, wife, it is thousand pit
les there are any children here to bother
you So"
Mrs Jewett made no reply, but going
to her room she sat down for moment
to consider whether or not her husband
meant what he had just said.
But by degrees the room faded from her
vision, the house became quiet--terribly
quiet-the sunlight died out, and shade
and stiffness reigned supreme.
There were footsteps heard, but
hushed, creeping awed.
All of active life had ceased even the
kitty had taken herself off, and was no
where to be seen,
Mr.. Jewett reused herself, and went
from kitchen to dining-room, from
dningroom to parlor. The invariable
order was oppressive.
The curtains were rolled with exact
oyenncss; not the finest line of sunlight
could pierce through crack or crevice
of the nicely adjusted shutters.
Every book was in its place; the
chairs as guiltless of dust as if Just
cleaned, and the unblurrod polish of the
piano reflected each undisturbed orna
ment and object in its vicinity.
But the children Oh, the childrcnl
A great appalling throb of apprehen-
sion and withcring pain shot unre-
pressed through the mothers heart at
the mention of their name.
Where was winsoms--no longer
mischieyous but winsome-WLlicl
Where pray, were sportivc Carrie and
lively Jenniel Where, too, bounding, low
ing little Jackl "Yes," she said, vaguely
peering about in the sunless gloom,
where are my precious childrenl"
She left dining room and parloE and
went from one child's chamber to on